How does the Xiegu G106 compare to the X6100 and QMX?

Equipment Radios & Power
21

I compare against a G90, which is a better radio than the G106. Just a few points:

  1. QMX receiver is much quieter than the G90.
  2. The CW filter on the QMX are way better than the G90.
  3. The new SSB enabled firmware on the QMX produce a signal strength comparable to a 10W radio (G90 has 20W and compression).
  4. G90 has a loudspeaker, QMX does not.
  5. Power consumption of the QMX is really low, about 7 times lower than the G90 in receive.
  6. QMX is smaller and very light; both are built rock-solid.
  7. My QMX SOTA pack including an EFHW, Fuchs tuner, paddle, earphones and 600mAh 3S Lipo weighs less than 500g.

For portable operations I find the QMX just outstanding. But it depends of course on your weighting of the different factors.

73 Peter

5 Likes
22

You have me collectively sold on the QMX (probably +), despite being still a bit hesitant about its strict power requirements, but itā€™s so inexpensive that I think itā€™s worth trying.

Rob Sherwood NC0B took a look at it and found a lot of birdies, Iā€™m curious what is your experience in a noise free environment., are they noticeable?

2 Likes
23

I just swept 40m without an antenna connected and there were about 5 birdies over s3. Practically, they havenā€™t been a problem (yet?).
The display is very readable in bright light. A bolt on speaker and battery box were added to my QMX to keep everything together.
All up it weighs about 440g without the antenna. Iā€™ve also 3d printed a slightly lighter battery and speaker box.
Currently, the software doesnā€™t store the sideband with the band, so you have to make sure itā€™s on the right sideband when you go from say, 40m to 20m. (this caught me out)

Itā€™s not easy to make a direct comparison with the G90, FT-817 or KX2 as they all have their pros and cons depending on your operating needs.

The simple user interface relies on a multitude of short press, double press and long press to select itā€™s many functions, but itā€™s easy to get used to unless youā€™re suffering summit brain :slight_smile:
For a simple and lightweight setup, itā€™s pretty hard to beat.
The SWR protection works well. I have two QMXs, one is a low band and the other is a high band modified to include 40m.

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4 Likes
24

They are quite noticeable. In particular the one on 14.060! However, in practice they are not a problem as they are very sharp. Put on RIT and get 20Hz away and the birdie is irrelevant.

1 Like
25

One more point for the list, Peter, the G90 has a great in-built tuner. If a tuner is needed for the antenna used with QMX (or G106), it has to be external (extra cables, etc).
73 Ed.

1 Like
26

Yes. The tuner is indeed fantastic. Did not mention as the G106 under consideration I understand has no tuner.